Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 91 sanctuaries of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King's family has preached for three generations. The world's largest consortium of Black colleges, Atlanta University Center includes six institutions that have educat- ed countless African-American political, community, and business leaders. Founded in 1867, the Center houses Clark Atlanta University, home to one of the country's finest galleries of art by African-Americans; and Morehouse College, which is now the caretaker of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection of the civil rights leader's personal papers. Spelman College is the nation's oldest Historically Black College for women. Other institutions include Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, and Interdenominational Theological Center. There is plenty for African-Ameri- can visitors to discover in Montgomery, Alabama. The Civil Rights Memorial Center expands the experience of the Civil Rights Memorial, which honors the memory and achievements of those who lost their lives during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Memorial was designed by famed architect, Maya Lin, who also crafted the Vietnam Wall memorial. In addi- tion to state-of-the-art exhibits and in- depth information, the center houses a 69-seat theater, a classroom, a section dedicated to contemporary social jus- tice issues, and the Wall of Tolerance, where visitors can add their name as they pledge to help end social injustice. The Rosa Parks Library & Museum provides a reenactment experience involving the activities of Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and involvement of other early Civil Rights leaders. Visitors are able to put themselves in the place of Rosa Parks through a recreated street scene and replica of the bus, while video footage transports witnesses to the fateful day. Additional exhibits lead visi- tors on an emotional journey through the days of the Bus Boycott, which became the first step on the difficult path to civil rights in America. Memphis is another southern city with plenty of history to discover. The legendary Beale Street is a must for all tourists interested in experiencing the rich musical heritage for which Memphis has long been known. The street, once the musical home of W.C. Handy, BB King, Bobby "Blue" Bland and others, continues its historical tradition enhanced by a fascinating collection of nightclubs, shops, restaurants, boutiques, and outdoor special events. Continuing with the city's legacy of musical history is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This multi-million dollar museum is built on the original site of the Stax Studio and pays tribute to the label that produced over 500 hit songs. The National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, is the first of its kind in the country. Interpretive exhibits and audio- visual displays bring to life the most sig- nificant moments in modern American history. Civil and human rights struggles and victories are displayed to educate, inspire and inform adults and children. Forty-five minutes north of Memphis, in the small town of Henning, Tennessee is the boyhood home of the Pulitzer Prize- winning author of Roots, Alex Haley. The home has been restored and is open to Rosa Parks Library & Museum Photo Credit: Montgomery CVB

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